ABSTRACT
Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that has been used in the treatments of stroke patients. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of low-frequency rTMS on the hand motor function recovery for stroke patients. After searching from electronic database from January 1990 to April 2012, we collected randomized controlled trials explored the low-frequency rTMS effects on the hand motor function rehabilitation. A total of 7 comparisons (N = 216) from 5 articles were included in this study. We summarized the effect size by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD). Summary of effect size (SES) indicated positive effects of low-frequency rTMS on the finger motor ability (SMD = 0.58) and hand function (SMD = -0.98). Few adverse effects occurred. The evidence showed that low-frequency rTMS could improve the paretic hand recovery after stroke.